Corset



May 30, 1939. A. 1. BRAISSANT CORSET Filed Jan. 5, 1938 INK/ENTER.

HTTURNEPE- Patented May 30, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in corsets and has particular reference to a corset which will be comfortable, easy to put on, and one which will hold the figure in proper shape.

A further object is to produce a device of this character which permits a greater freedom of the legs, and, at the same time, supports the abdomen and back of the wearer.

A further object is to provide means for supporting stockings without the use of garters in the rear, upon which the wearer might sit, and, therefore, be uncomfortable.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description. 15 In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. l is a front elevation of my corset;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the corset in use, showing the same having garters attached thereto;

Fig. 3 shows a modified form of the corset in use without the use of garters; and

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the corset in use.

The customary corset now used consists of a garment usually made of elastic webbing, the purpose of which garment is to constrict the figure of the wearer in order to produce a more pleasing figure, particularly to people inclined to be stout. Of course, corsets are also used for the purpose of supporting certain muscles of the body.

Up to the present time, these corsets have been extremely difficult to put on and take ofi. The present day tendency, however, is to use a twoway stretch material which is forcibly pulled onto the body. When so placed on the body, the movement of the legs is restricted at each step.

I have, therefore, devised a corset wherein the same may be readily placed upon the body and will not restrict the walking movements.

In the accompanying drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates the body of the garment having an upper portion 6, which is so fashioned that when upon the body, it will take the shape shown in Figs. 2 and 3, thus holding in the flesh which ordinarily rolls over the top of the girdle. A zipper is shown at 1, which zipper enables the edges of the garment to be pulled together and fastened after the garment has been placed upon the body, it being understood that that portion 55 of the garment below the hips is ordinarily loose enough to permit easy placing of the same on the body; and the zipper will complete the securing of that portion which may be stretched to a considerable degree.

The front portion of my garment is provided with an opening 8, extending from the lower margin to a point sufiicient to permit the swinging of the legs without pull upon the garment. At 9 and i l I have shown bands of elastic material which surround the legs and, therefore, hold the garment down against a tendency to creep up. These bands also hold the divided portion of the garment close to the body, so that even with sheer dresses the outline of the garment cannot be detected. The material adjacent the opening 8 is provided with a binding I2 of any desired weave.

The garter arrangement is such that two long garters may be employed and two short garters may also be employed, the long garters being secured adjacent the abdomen, and the short garters being secured adjacent the bottom of the garment. It will be noted that these garters are also arranged so that neither of them lies against the back of the legs. Therefore, the stocking is held up on the front and on the sides only, which is suficient to produce a smooth appearance of the stockings.

In the form shown in Fig. 3, it will be noted that the garters may be dispensed with and the stockings rolled below the knee, or if long stockings are used, they may be tucked beneath the bands 9 and H. Of course, stays may also be employed in the garment without altering its construction.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred embodiment of the same and that various changes relative to the material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A garment of the character described adapted to encircle the body and having an upper portion provided with a curved top edge and adapted to overlie the abdomen, said garment having an opening formed in the front thereof and extending a substantial distance from the bottom of the garment toward the top thereof, whereby freedom of the limbs will be permitted, bands secured to the bottom of said garment and adapted to encircle the legs of the wearer when the garment is in use, said garment being slit adjacent its upper portion, means for securing the adjacent edges of said slit, a pair of garters secured to said garment at a point above the upper extremity of said opening and extending when in use to a point below the bottom of said garment, and garters connected to the bottom of said garment and in front thereof.

ANNA I. BRAISSANT. 

